For the second consecutive week, it was an all-Titleist three-way sudden death playoff on the Australasian Tour, this time with Mike Hendry (New Pro V1x) claiming the New Zealand Open Championship with a par on the first extra hole.
Hendry topped fellow Titleist Brand Ambassadors Ben Campbell (New Pro V1x) and Brad Kennedy (New Pro V1x), with all three finishing regulation play tied at 19-under par on the picturesque Millbook Course in Queenstown.
Hendry’s victory was the first by a New Zealander in the event since 2003.
Titleist golf ball loyalist Deyen Lawson (Pro V1x), who like Hendry fired four consecutive rounds in the 60’s, finished solo 4th, one shot out of the playoff.
It was the second straight week that Campbell finished T2 in a playoff.
Nine of the top 10 finishers relied upon Titleist golf balls for their success.
It was an emotional win for Hendry who views this event as his fifth major:
“This is the one I wanted the most of any trophy and I’ve got it now. I think for most of the Kiwis in the field - if it’s not one of the four (majors), it’s this one. To have the New Zealand Open trophy and have my name on the NZ PGA trophy as well, it’s pretty sweet. I was dead-keen to win the trophy hands down and obviously the New Zealand golfing public and golf fans around New Zealand are going to be pretty chuffed that a Kiwi has finally won it and I’m going to be chuffed that that Kiwi happened to be me.”
Congratulations, Mike!
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Let's take a closer look at the equipment that Mike Hendry, Ben Campbell and Brad Kennedy trusted this week at the New Zealand Open Championship.
Michael Hendry (Winner)
Golf Ball: New Titleist Pro V1x
Driver: 917D3 (9.5°)
Fairway: 917F3 (15°)
Hybrid: 816H2 (19°)
Irons: 716 CB (3-9)
Wedges: Vokey Design SM6 pitching (46° F Grind), gap (52° F Grind), and lob (58° M Grind)
Ben Campbell (T2): New Pro V1x golf ball, 917D2/9.5° driver, 917F3/13.5° fairway metal, 716 T-MB (3), 716 MB (3-9) irons, Vokey Design SM6 sand/54°and lob/60° wedges, Scotty Cameron Newport M2putter
Brad Kennedy (T2): New Pro V1x golf ball, 917D2/9.5° driver, 917F3/15° fairway metal, 915Hd (21°) hybrid, VG3 (5-9) irons, Vokey Design SM6 pitching (48°), gap (52°), sand/56°and lob/60° wedges, Scotty Cameron Notchback putter
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TITLEIST BY THE NUMBERS
Titleist was the overwhelming field favorite in golf balls at the New Zealand Open Championship with 122 players trusting a Pro V1 or Pro V1x, more than 16 times the nearest competitor with 10.
#TeamTitleist